jobfacts

Other psychologists

SOC 2020 2226

Psychologists research, study and assess emotional, cognitive and behavioural processes and abnormalities in human beings and animals and how these are affected by genetic, physical and social factors.

Also calledForensic psychologistCriminal psychologistInvestigative psychologistLegal psychologistPsychologistChartered psychologistand 9 more titles
People in the job39,000across the UK
Demand for workersCritical
New adverts a month1,000↓ 19%on last year · 190th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
Typical pay by regionUK median —
Scotland!£47,000
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
West MidlandsNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
LondonNot published by ONS–
South EastNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, —
Scotland£47,000 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
North WestNot published by ONS
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
West MidlandsNot published by ONS
East of EnglandNot published by ONS
LondonNot published by ONS
South EastNot published by ONS
South WestNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 2 years
  • 2023 £35,100
  • 2024 £33,300
↓ 5.1% since 2023

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 1,000 jobs for other psychologists are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as critical.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (4 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026981
Jul 20261,038
Jun 2026Not published
May 2026927
Apr 2026814
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 2026905
Jan 2026944
Dec 2025813
Nov 20251,074
Oct 20251,464
Sept 20251,074
Aug 20251,105
Jul 2025Not published
Jun 2025Not published
May 20251,548
Apr 20251,098
Mar 20251,238
Feb 20251,263
Jan 20251,319
Dec 2024959
Nov 20241,229
Oct 20241,235
Sept 20241,281
Aug 20241,335
Jul 20241,400
Jun 20241,361
May 20241,423
Apr 20241,504
Mar 20241,330
Feb 20241,234
Jan 20241,610
Dec 20231,209
Nov 20231,593
Oct 20231,311
Sept 20231,145
Aug 20231,126
Jul 20231,478
Jun 20231,804
May 20231,795
Apr 20231,384
Mar 20231,666
Feb 20231,685
Jan 20231,979
Dec 20221,370
Nov 20221,770
Oct 20221,633
Sept 20221,577
Aug 20221,428
Jul 20221,650
Jun 20221,471
May 20221,559
Apr 20221,131
Mar 20221,487
Feb 20221,185
Jan 20221,260
Dec 20211,011
Nov 20211,264
Oct 20211,224
Sept 20211,123
Aug 20211,052
Jul 20211,229
Jun 20211,166
May 20211,224
Apr 2021931
Mar 20211,228
Feb 2021917
Jan 20211,089
Dec 20201,114
Nov 20201,016
Oct 20201,096
Sept 20201,058
Aug 2020863
Jul 2020958
Jun 2020970
May 2020888
Apr 2020853
Mar 20201,051
Feb 20201,103
Jan 20201,064
Dec 2019702
Nov 2019953
Oct 2019967
Sept 2019937
Aug 2019871
Jul 20191,165
Jun 20191,201
May 20191,040
Apr 2019581
Mar 2019755
Feb 2019575
Jan 2019658
Dec 2018459
Nov 2018609
Oct 2018720
Sept 2018592
Aug 2018526
Jul 2018575
Jun 2018685
May 2018535
Apr 2018567
Mar 2018680
Feb 2018560
Jan 2018717
Dec 2017450
Nov 2017612
Oct 2017566
Sept 2017506
Aug 2017519
Jul 2017599
Jun 2017692
May 2017659
Apr 2017596
Mar 2017626
Feb 2017493
Jan 2017584
Is there a shortage of other psychologists?
Critical

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was elevated.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsWell above usual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
31%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for health professionals, which includes other psychologists. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London633
Birmingham89
Manchester59
Buckinghamshire54
Leeds52
Bristol, City of39
Liverpool39
County Durham37
North Yorkshire36
Newcastle upon Tyne31
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where other psychologists are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 14 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from South Africa, India, United States, ranking it 201st of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of other psychologists
6.7%!
30%!
28%!
19%!
11%!
6%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–246.7% (small sample)
25–3430% (small sample)
35–4428% (small sample)
45–5419% (small sample)
55–6411% (small sample)
65+6% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent95%
Higher education below degree–
Not published
A levels or equivalent–
Not published
GCSEs or equivalent–
Not published
Show as table
Degree or equivalent95%
Higher education below degreeNot published
A levels or equivalentNot published
GCSEs or equivalentNot published

Main employers: other human health activities (22%), hospital activities (18%), regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security (8.1%), general public administration activities (7%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
95%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
None
none leads directly into this work

Routes in

Forensic psychologist

You can get into this job through a university course or by working towards this role.

University

To become a forensic psychologist, you can either follow the accredited degree process or complete a doctorate programme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 3 A levels or equivalent
More about this route
Accredited degree process
  • Do a psychology degree or conversion course that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
  • Apply for graduate membership to obtain the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
  • Study for a master's degree in forensic psychology that is accredited by BPS, known as stage 1.
  • Complete 2 years of supervised practice as part of stage 2 of the BPS qualification in forensic psychology.
Doctorate programme

Some universities offer a doctorate programme in forensic psychology. This is the equivalent of the accredited master's degree and 2 years of supervised practice.

There's a lot of competition for postgraduate training. To apply, you may need:

  • a first or upper second class (2:1) degree
  • evidence of excellent research skills
  • relevant work experience, for example in a prison, probation or youth offending service

Work your way up

You may be able to start your career as an interventions facilitator in HM Prison Service.

You could study for a psychology degree part-time while you work. You would then apply for a trainee forensic psychologist role.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Professional and industry bodies

You can join the The British Psychological Society for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a forensic psychologist from The British Psychological Society and Health Careers.

You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for forensic psychologist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Psychologist

You can get into this career through a university course.

University

To become a psychologist, you'll need to:

  • study for a psychology degree accredited by the The British Psychological Society (BPS), or do a psychology conversion course
  • gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
  • complete an accredited postgraduate qualification in your chosen specialism to work as a psychologist
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More about this route
Psychology conversion course

You may be able to complete an approved psychology conversion course if:

  • your psychology degree is not accredited by The BPS
  • you have a degree in a subject other than psychology
Postgraduate qualification

To practise as a psychologist, you'll need to complete an accredited postgraduate qualification in your chosen specialism.

Specialisms include:

  • educational psychology
  • forensic psychology
  • occupational psychology
  • sport and exercise psychology

To apply for a postgraduate specialism course, you’ll need:

  • a first or 2:1 (upper second class) degree
  • excellent research skills
  • relevant work experience

You should check the postgraduate entry requirements with the admissions department where you want to study.

You can find out more about all of the different specialisms and the postgraduate training from The BPS.

Volunteering

It can be helpful to get some voluntary experience in health or social care or in education before you apply for a course.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The British Psychological Society (BPS) for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more advice on careers and training in psychology from The British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health Careers.

You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for psychologist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Sport and exercise psychologist

You can get into this job through a university course.

University

To become a sport and exercise psychologist, you'll need to:

  • study a psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) or do a psychology conversion course
  • gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
  • complete a BPS accredited master's degree in sport and exercise psychology
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 3 A levels or equivalent
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More about this route
Psychology conversion course

You may be able to do an approved psychology conversion course if:

  • your psychology degree is not accredited by the BPS
  • you have a degree in a subject other than psychology
Postgraduate qualification

To apply for a postgraduate qualification in sport and exercise specialism, you’ll often need:

  • a first or 2:1 (upper second class) degree
  • excellent research skills
  • relevant work experience

You might want to check the postgraduate entry requirements with the admissions department where you want to study.

You can find out more about all of the different specialisms and postgraduate training from The British Psychological Society (BPS).

Volunteering

It can be helpful to get some volunteering experience in a healthcare or education setting before you apply for a course.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Professional and industry bodies

You can join The British Psychological Society for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more details about working in sports and exercise psychology from The British Psychological Society and The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for sport and exercise psychologist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • develops and administers tests to measure intelligence, abilities, aptitudes, etc. and assesses results
  • develops treatment and guidance methods and gives treatment or guidance using a variety of therapy and counselling techniques
  • observes and experiments on humans and animals to measure mental and physical characteristics
  • analyses the effect of hereditary, social and physical factors on thought and behaviour
  • studies psychological factors in the treatment and prevention of mental illness or emotional and personality disorders
  • maintains required contacts with family members, education or other health professionals, as appropriate, and recommends possible solutions to problems presented
  • applies professional knowledge and techniques within the workplace, addressing issues such as job design, work groups, motivation etc
  • applies psychological treatment methods to help athletes achieve optimum mental health and enhance sporting performance

Skills

  • analyse legal evidence
  • assess character
  • comply with legal regulations
  • comply with legislation related to health care
  • conduct psychological assessement
  • conduct research interview
  • counsel clients
  • document interviews
  • ensure safety of healthcare users
  • follow clinical guidelines
  • identify mental health issues
  • interact with healthcare users
  • interpret psychological tests
  • listen actively

Knowledge

  • psychology
  • behavioural disorders
  • client-centred counselling
  • consultation
  • counselling methods
  • forensic intelligence
  • health care occupation-specific ethics
  • psychological counselling methods

Suits people who like

  • Working with ideas and solving problems
  • Helping and caring for people

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for health professionals, a group of 24 jobs that includes other psychologists.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 19%about 310,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20351.3 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

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